Eastern Cape Man Handed 4 Life Sentences for Murdering 4 Family Members Over R20k, SA Celebrates Long Sentence

• A man from the Eastern Cape who killed almost his entire family over a matter of R20 000 has been handed four life sentences
• Thobani Kesa slayed his parents, sister and five-year-old niece before setting them on fire
• The parents had a protection order out against Kesa, who had vowed to kill them in front of the small claims court

STERKSPRUIT - An Eastern Cape man has been handed four life sentences for killing his parents, sister and five-year-old niece in a dispute over R20 000.

The brutal murders happened in 2018 when Thobane Kesa set his family's house alight after he murdered the victims in cold blood. The family of four were burnt beyond recognition.

According to Eastern Cape National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luyolo Tyali, the convicted murderer went on a murderous rampage when his parents refused to pay him and his brother R20 000, News24 reported.

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Kesa and his brother had agreed with his parents to build a house on the family's homestead in exchange for compensation.

Eastern Cape man vows to kill parents in small claims court

The brothers were given a deposit to begin construction, but before they finished building the house, Kesa and his brother demanded the rest of the payment, leading to a disagreement with the family.

The brother dragged the family to the local small claims court, demanding R20 000. In the court, Kesa accused his mother of being a witch and vowed to kill her if she didn't pay him.

Fearing for their lives, Kesa's parents obtained a protection order against their son, and the brother moved to another village, IOL reported.

The protection order wasn't enough because Kesa later returned and killed his entire family, except for his brother.

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South Africans can't understand why Eastern Cape man would kill his family over R20 000

South Africans mourned the deaths of the family of four and wondered what type of person would wipe out almost his entire family.

Below are some reactions:

Kenard Froude slammed:

"Savages. Happens every day almost."

Vishal Rohanlall complained:

"These days you can get killed for R10... Or for nothing. That's South Africa currently."

Larry Motubatse excalimed:

"That's crazy!"

Cedric Johnson commented:

"Kills his parents for R20 000, foolish..."

Ruksana Ally said:

"Bad heart. Supposed to build as a gift to his parents, now he will get imprisoned."

Ek's Julle Grootman claimed:

"This world is coming to an end at an alarming speed..."

Anthony Zaba asked:

"This dog could kill his parents, imagine what else he is capable off?"

Police Minister Bheki Cele defends men in blue, calls for community members to be “allies in safety”

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Briefly News also reported that Police Minister Bheki Cele called for communities to play a more active role in fighting crime by taking charge when they see illegal activity.

He was delivering the country’s quarterly crime statistics when he made the remarks. The stats from October to December 2022 painted a grim picture of the country’s safety.

Cele said police cannot end crime alone and called for residents to be “allies in safety.” According to SABC News, he said there is a deeper need for crime prevention, which is the responsibility of all government departments and not just his.

Source: Briefly News